Paradise Fibers Summer Silk, Flax & Merino Blend - Twilight Garden

Twilight Garden is a Paradise Fibers exclusive summer spinning blend of 38% mulberry silk, 12% tussah silk, 25% flax and 25% merino wool. The colors are a garden just after sunset: deep violet and periwinkle blue, with orchid pink running through it and flecks of honey gold from the tussah. It is made for warm-weather yarns. The silk and flax give shine, drape and breathability, and the merino adds just enough bounce to make the fiber easy to draft.

Each fiber pulls its weight. Mulberry silk brings the pearly gleam. Tussah silk adds the gold undertone and a little rustic character. Flax, the plant fiber that becomes linen, gives strength and a cool, crisp hand. Merino ties it together with warmth and elasticity, so the finished yarn is not as stiff as a pure silk or linen yarn would be.

Fiber details

• Fiber content: 38% mulberry silk, 12% tussah silk, 25% flax, 25% merino wool
• Color: Deep violet and periwinkle blue with orchid pink and flecks of gold
• Blend: Paradise Fibers custom blend, milled for us in small batches
• Sold by: The ounce
• Best for: Hand spinning; also suits blending on a drum carder or hand cards

How it spins

A short forward draw smooths the fibers down and gives a sleek, glossy, worsted-style yarn that shows off the two silks. A long draw lets the tussah and flax add texture for a more rustic, airy yarn. Finish with a warm soak and a firm thwack to open up the fibers and bring out the shimmer.

What to make with it

Draped shawls, textured cowls, woven scarves, lightweight summer sweaters and handwoven panels, anything where the silk can catch the light. Twilight Garden is one of three colorways in our Summer Silk line, along with Clover Fields (bright green) and a soft silver grey. You can also browse all flax (linen) fiber and silk and silk blends.

Questions about Twilight Garden

Is Twilight Garden good for summer garments?

Yes. Half of the blend is silk and a quarter is flax, both of which breathe and feel cool against the skin. The 25% merino keeps it soft and springy without making it hot.

Is this blend beginner friendly?

It is manageable for an advanced beginner. Silk and flax are slippery and less forgiving than pure wool, so add a little more twist than you would for a wool yarn and keep your drafting zone short.

Will the colors blend together when I spin it?

The violet, blue and pink are dyed into the fiber in long runs. Spin straight from the top and they will shift gently along the yarn; pre-draft and spin from the fold to blend them into a heathered purple.

How much fiber do I need?

Plan on about 4 oz for a hat or small shawlette, 8 oz for a generous shawl or scarf, and 1½ to 2 lb for an adult sweater. Buy it all at once: this is a small-batch blend and may not be restocked.

How is it priced?

Sold by the ounce. Quantity pricing applies automatically at 4 oz, 8 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb and 5 lb, so buying for a sweater costs far less per ounce than buying a single sample.